Weighing mechanism



Feb. 8.1927; y l 1,616,503

H. L.. MERRlCK WEIGHING MECHANISM H. LNEPR/CK,

Feb.' 9 7 H. L.. MERRICK WEIGHING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 12, 41922 1927. Feb 8 H. l.. MERRICK WEIGHINGMECHANISM Filed Aug. l2, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 l vwenfo Y /1.L. MERK/cfr, l @51372-23 @ktm/140% l l Patentedv Feb. '8, A1927.

.l `iy [A1,l1sif1-rrnI STAT-Es PATENT oFFIic'E..

HERBERT L. MERRCK, OFPASSAIC, NEW JERSEY.

This invention relates to weighing` mechanism of the type disclosed by my co-pending application Serial No. 438,821 in which Y counterpoise is adjustably mounted upon a beam to bring the latter into equilibrium with a loadl supported thereby, said counterpoise being automatically adjusted along the beam when the beam is; deflected or moved out ofequilibrium through a pair of friclo tionally co-operating ymembers normally traveling in the same direction, one of which is rotatable and' connected to the counterpoise1 and movabl'e longitudinally of the beam, and the other member beingadjustvl5 able by the deflection of the beam to change the direction 'of tra-vel thereof in angular relation -to the axis of rotation of the member connected to the counterpoise. In the struct-ure of said` application the longitudinally movable member is mounted upon a y'carriage movable upon a track longitudinally'of the beam and is rotated. by means, such as an electric motor, which is mounted upon the carriage to participate in the move- -ment of said carriage, and it is the primary object of the invention to kprovide an improvedY construction and arrangement of parts o-f said mechanism to greatly increase the eiciency thereof. a@ "It is an object of the present invention to effect the above mentioned result by providing an improved arrangement of mountine;v of the rotatable andY longitudinally movablemember and of the mountingy of the driving mea-ns for said member, and to provide an improved arrangement of mounting' and connection of the adjustable friction .member to the scale beam to cont-rol the direction of travel thereof and thereby control y the direction of movement of the longitudinally movable member and the adjustment `of the counter-poise upon the beam.

In carrying out this feature of the invention l' provide a shaft journaled in fixed L15. bearings to rotate on an axis longitudinally of the beam with means, such as an electric motor, to drive said shaft. A drum connected to the counterpoise is mounted l concentric to said sha t to rotate with the ifi) shaft and have vmovement longitudinally thereof, said drumbeing; caused tomove in longitudinal direction and the direction of ontrolled by a member to .the drum. the direction WEIGHING MECHANISM.

Application led August 12, 1922. Serialr No. 581,343.

by and in accordance with the deflection of the scale beam. i

further object of the invention relates to means supported independently of the beam to co-opera-te with the beam to serve as yielding` stops and restrain the deflecting movement of the latter within predeterminedv limits, and to partially counterbalance a load supported bv the beam duringthe initial movement of the counterpoise upon the beam to the point of perfect balance, and to also partially counterbal'ance the weight of the counterpoise as the loady is removed from the load receiver.

Another object of the invention. relates to an improved arrangement and construction of dashpot for use in connection with the beam to steady. the movement of the beam as the counterpoise approaches the point of perfect balance.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

ln the drawings accompanying' and forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a front elevation ofthe counterpoise adjustinemeans the scale beam havingr been omitted for the purpose of clearness of illustration and only so much of the .weighing` mechanism being,- shown as is essential to an understanding of the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of Figure 1 to show the arrangement and mounting of the friction member controlled by the deflection of the scale beam to control. the travel. in longitudinal direction, of tbe drum of the counterpoise adjusting; means.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the scale beam to show the connection of the counterpoise with its adjusting means, and, means connected to the beam to restrain the deflectingmovement thereof withinpredetermined limits, and the connection of the dash pot to the beam to steady the movement thereof as the counterpoise approaches the point of perfect balance. l

Figures l andl 5 are cross sectional views to show the mounting of the drum upon the shaft, and Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially between the ends of the drum to show the arrangement of the l drum and shaft. 1

Figure 7 is a plan view of the scale 'beam and the counterpoise adjusting` means to show the relation between the same.

Figure 8 is a crossk sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 7 looking in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the counterpoise.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the beam and the counterpoise to show the manner of mounting the latter upon the beam.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the improved dash pot.

Figure 12 is an end elevation of the piston to operate in the dash pot.

Figure 13 is a sectional view of the cylinder of the dash pot taken on the line 13-13 of Figure 11 looking in the direction of the arrow. V

Figure 14 is an enlarged end elevation of the means to co-operate with the scale beam to restrain the deflecting movement of the beam within predetermined limits; and

Figure 15 is an enlarged view in perspective showing a modified arrangement of the means for restraining the deliecting movement of the beam within predetermined limits.

Similar characters of reference designate like parts-throughout the different views of the drawings.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings the shelf portion of the scale structure is shown at 16 upon which is mounted a standard 17 carrying a scale beam 1S upon a knife edge pivot 19, said beam being arranged at the short end at one side of the pivotal support to support load supporting means therefrom and shown as having connected thereto a rod 2O which may be connected in the usual manner to the weighing levers of a platform scale (not shown). The beam is brought into equilibrium as a load is applied thereto or removed therefrom by counterpoise weight 21 inovably mounted upon the beam. To pre vent friotional retardation of the counterpoise in its movement the beam is arranged substantially of channel shape in cross seetion with the legs of the channel extending upward to form tracks. The counterpoise is arranged with two pairs of flanged wheels or rollers 22 to support the counter-poise upon the scale beam. The balance of the scale is regulable by a weight or weights 23 suspended from the extremity of the long end of the beam by a rod 24.

To automatically adjust or remove the counterpoise along the scale beam when the beam is deflected from the horizontal or equilibrium by a load placed upon the scale beam to counterbalance or weigh such load, or by the removal of the weight of such load from the scale beam, a pair of frictional contacting members are provided, one of which is in the form of a drum 25 journaled at its opposite ends in heads 26, said heads rotatably carrying flanged rollers or wheels 27 at opposite sides to engage upon a track or tracks 28, shown in the present instance as a pair of sectional tracks mounted upon the shelf 1G to extend longitudinally of the beam and along which the drinn carrying rollers 2T are movable. rl`he drinn is connected. to the counterpoise by a rod 29 one end of which is connecte/.l to an upwardlv extending projection 30 of one of the drinn supporting heads while the other end is pivotally connected to the counterpoise, as at 31, Figures 9 and 10.

'llo rotate the drinn a shaft 32 is joiirnaled in bearings 33 fixed upon the shelf 16 which shaft is concentric with the drinn. The shaft and drum are constructed and arranged so that the drum will participate in the movement longitudinally of the shaft. For this purpose the shaft is square in cross seetion and the drum has anti-friction bearings upon said shaft arranged at opposite ends of the drum. As shown in Figures 4 and 5 these bearings comprise rollers 34 rotatably mounted at one end of the drinn to engage at opposite sides of the shaft as shown in Figure 4, while the rollers 35 of the bearing at the opposite end of the drinn are arranged at opposite sides of the shaft but in angular relation to the rollers 34. The shaft is driven from a suitable source of power, shown as an electric motor M mounted in .fixed position upon the shelf 1G and operatively connected to the shaft by reducing gearing consisting of a pinion 86 fixed to the shaft of the motor meshing with a gear 37 on a shaft 38 journaled in a ln'aekey 3%) cariving the shaft bearing` and fixe-:l to the shelf, a pinion 40 meshing with a gear 41 fixed to the shaft 32. lWhile l have shown the connection of the shaft and the drinn as comprising a shaft square in cross section and the drinn having anti-friction bearings thereon it will be obvious that any suitable connect-ion may be provided so long as the drum is arranged to rotate with the shaft and have movement longitudinally thereof.

The adjustment of the counterpoise upon the beam is effected through the longitudinal movement of the drum and the longitudinal direction of movement of the drum is controlled by and in accordance with the deflection of the scale beam to overload or underload position and maintained against movement when the beam is in equilibrium. For this purpose a member is provided to have frictional contact with the periphery of the drum and is shown as comprising a friction disk 42 rotatably carried in the bifurcation of a member 43 having a pivotal support 44 to rotate on an axis transverse to the axis of the drinn. Tl 's pivotal support is arranged to rotate on a vertical axis in a portion of a bracket 45 overhanging the drum, said bracket being mounted upon the shelf 16. rFhe n'iember 43 is carried by rotary movement of the shaft and have,

l it) a shaped member t6 :ha-ving. a vertical etudlf47 Arotatably "engaging in an opening in T2 the bracket and extending' through the shelf '16 in line with:thefpivotalfsupport 44 and .below the Vaxis ot' the fdrum' Ias Lclearly shown .in .Figure 2. A'clearance"space, as shown a't'l, islarranged between'the connection ofthe yokemember 46 withthestud '47..andfthebraclt 45 whereby the friction jdiskwill rest'upon"t-lie drum by gravity,

and 4tojincrease :the vtrictional contact between'f the disk -and drum weight 48 :is mountedupon thestud 457.r The yoke stud 47 and lthereby thefdisk isfoperatively conynected'to the sealefbeam by a link .49 pivotallyffeo'nnecte'd `at one end .to an arm 50 ,-ixedftosthe stud 47 and the other end pivotallyeonnected to a stud 52 iixed to and extending downwardly Alfrom the.A scale beam lin;line-with-the axis of" the pivotal support fof.V the beam .and 'projecting through the shelffr By this `arrangement' 01;' the link 'Y 1 e0nnection49 with the :stud 47 ot the disk Vsupporting yoke '46 andl the stud `52 `of thel ,scale'beam 'the disk when the 'beam is in eqilibriumwill :bemam'tained 1n position `to travel ina'ldirectionlatright angles to the axis of the drum and maintain the latter Y iinthe direction indicated by-tliearrow.

against longitudinal movement. The drum Yis `rdrive-nun {the direction lindicated by the .arrow'm Figure 8 causing the diskfto rotate As ialoadis appliedftovthebeam andfcausino;

the same tobefdetlectedupward tothe position'sh'own by theldotted'line 18a in 'Figure 3. theffriction disk7 `will be adj usted lto n travel iina-direction-or rotate on an axis,`in angtr ilar'irela'tion to theaxls ofthe drum as shown inllligure v7 thereby exerting'an axial thrust Vlupon the drum r' to fcause t the drum Ito move :longitudinally intheidirection as indicated ,fby-thefarrow olinvFigure 7 'and therebymovl *ing vthecounter-poise v31outwardon the beam lto gpositionto eounterbalance the loadsupy ported by the short end' ot Ithe beam.

Itk fwill be obvious that as the counterpoise y:approachesthe-point ot perfect balance and fthev beam Amoves to horizontal "position or equilibriumthat' the angular relation of the disk yto the drum will be gradually decreased andthereby the'speed ot travel of the drum yin vlongitudinal direction 'will be gradually y decreased as ywell as the speed or travel of i the;counterpoiseupon the beam as the latter V approaches fthe lpoint oit" perfect "balance,

Vhen ra. load is removed from the beam and V.the *beam is deflected downwardly by the 'weight of fthe counterpoise to the position indicated by the do'tt'edfline 18b in Figure ."the direction o'fjtravel of the disk 42 with relation itothe axis of the drum will be in la' directionreverse fto that when the beam fis -deflected Aas shown in dotted lines 'in Figlure'7 'and thereby exerting' 'anA axial thrust tuponthe ibeamto move the same longitudinally in reverse direction and therewith the counterpoise tobring thevbeam to initial position of equilibrium or no loadposition, the speed o'ltravel oi' the counterpoisegradually decreasing as it approaches such position in a manner similar to that hereinbefore described when the counterpoise is `adjusted to perfect balance position vin eounterbalancing a load carried by the beam.

Tototalize the weight of successive weighings, a counter, shown in ageneral way at C, is mounted uponthe sheltl 16 and is actuated through the 'movement of the drum by a ack 55 carried by the drum supporting heads 26 to extend lparallel withfand below the drum, said rack meshing with a gear 56 which meshes with a gear 57 having a bevel pinion 58rotatable therewith meshing with ar bevel pinion 59 operatively connected to the counter mechanism. Suitable. .ratchet mechanism is `provided whereby as the drum is v'moved to .position the `counterpoise to counterbalance a` load the counter will be advanced and as reverse movement is imparted to the drum no movement will be imparted to the counter mechanism. VThe drum carrying); heads 26 may also be connected by a tie rod 60 extending' parallel with and above the rack 55,

Means is provided to restrain the deflect- 'ingr movement of the beam 18 within predetermined limits, and which also operates to partially counterbalance a load lapplied to `the beam during' the initial movement ot' ther counterpoise upon the'beam to the point of balance, and to partially counterbalance the predetermined point from theho'rizontal.

This pendulum weight comprises a pair ot levers 61, 62 (Figures 3 and pivotally supported upon a shaft 63 mounted 1n a bracket '64 fixed to a platform or shelt 65 suspended below the sheltl 16 by rods 66, each ot the levers havingr an arm 67. 68 fixed thereto adjustabl)v carrying` weights '69, 70. arms being' arranged whereby the weights will automaticallf.v1 assume a position b v gravity below the pivotal support ot` the levers with the levers ext-ending` laterally from the pivotal support, the levers beinel constructed and arranged with the lever 61 above the lever 62. rThe levers are also arranged with auxiliary weight adjustably mounted on arms T1-72 extendingl from the levers substantially at right anales to the weight carrying arms v697O to regulate the pendulum weight. A rod 73 is pivotally connected at one endand suspended from lll) lit)

the long;` end ot the beam to extend through the shelf 16 and arranged with a bifurcation at the lower' end, the one leg` 7l of the bifurcation being shorter than the other leg` 75 and having' a downwardly inclined hook to engage over a pin extendino' transversely oit' a bifurcation at the end or the lever 6l, as shown at 76. while lthe extremity oit the longer leg` is upwardly hooked to engage under a pin exteiu'ling` transversely ci a bi 'urcation at the end ot the lever 62. as shown atv 77. Should the beam be deflected downward to the dotted line position 181 as by the removal of a load from the beam and the count'erpoise having' been adjusted outward on the beam.I the hook et the bifurcation leg 74 will co-operate with the lever 6l 'to move the same in the direction indicated by the dotted pendulum. the weight connected to said lever yieldine'ly resistina or restraining the downward movement ot the beam. and further operates in (zo-operation with the counterpoise to brine' the beam to position of eduilibriun'i or the weighing mechanism to counterbalancing' posit-ion, Should the beam be dellected upward as indicated by the dotted line 18 in Figure the hooked. end of lthe longer l'iiturcation lee will cooperate with the lever 62 to move the same upward., whii'h movement will be resisted or restrained by the pendulum weight connected to such lever and serve to assist in the counterbalancine` ot the load during` the initial movement of the counterpoise upon the beam. The reverse movenient of the lever 61 is limited by an adjustable stop 7 8 co-operatin;v with a lug' 79 on the arm, and a stop 8O to be enealed by the weightcarryinp; arm 67, and the rev se movement ot' the lever 62 is limited by an adjust-able step 8l co-operating' with a lue' 62 on the. lever and a stop 83 to be engaged by the weight carrying` arm 68 (Figure l5).

ln the construf'tion of the other means 'for restricting` the deliectinn' movement ot the beam a pair ot levers 6l. 62 are pivotally supported upon the sha'lit 62 inthe bracket Get, and'shown as an anti-friction bearinaf support. and each of the arms is arranged with regulable weights as shown at 7 2. The levers are also arranged with arms adjustabl'v carrying' pendulum weights 69. 70 and the reverse movement ol the levers being limited by stops 3 cri-operating with the pendulum weight carrying' arms. Auxiliary pendulum weight mechanism as n'iounted upon the levers 6l. 62 and tln'oun'h which the levers co-operate with the beam to restrain the delecting' movement ot the latter. rlhis auxiliary pendulum weight. mechanism comprises a lever having' a knife edge bearing' support upon each lever 6l. 62. as at 96. each lever 85 having` an arm 87 adjustably carrying` a pendulum weight 8S'. The one end of one arm is biurcated with a pin extendincr transversely thereof, as at 89, with which the hook of the short leg 74 et the bifurcation of the rod 73 co-operates. and the one end ot the other lever 'has a. bifurcation with a transversely extending` pin. as at 90. with which the hooked end of the long legv 75 ot the bifurcation of the lever 73 co-operates. Each ot the auxiliary levers at the ends opposite to the bifurcation has afreeulable weight 91 adjustably mounted thereon. and they have a limited movement between a pair o't adjustable stops 92 shown in the torni of set screws carried by the respective levers 61', 62. In operation as the beam is deflected either upwardly or downwardly from the horizontal the hooks et the bifur- 'ation legs of the rod 73 will co-operate with either one ot the auxiliary pendulum weight carryingrlevers 85. which will initially restrain detlectine` movement of the However. should the pendulum weights 88 not be sullicient. to restrain the n'iovemcnt ot the beam by the arrangement et the stops 92 the load ot a pendulum weight 69 or 70 istransferred to said anxiliary lever through theV movement ot the levers 61. 62.

To steady the beam 1S as the counterpoise approaches the point ot perfect balance al dash pot is connected to the longr end of the beam. This dash pot is mounted upon the shelt` 65 and comprises a liquid carrying' cylinder' 93 closed at one end and having' a perforated flange to secure the same upon the shell: A piston 94 is connected to the beam and reeiprocable in the cylinder by a rod 95 extending through an opening' in the closure 96 for the open end ot the cylinder and through the shelf and connected to the scale beam 18. the piston being reciprocated by and in accordance with the deflection of the beam. The dash pot of a. particular' construction and arrangement whereby to provide a more efficient device of this character. The inner wall oie the cylinder is arranged with a restricted .annular portion or annnlus 97 located substantially midway between the ends with recesses 98 arranged in the wall of the cylinder at opposite sides oftl the annnlus`r which recesses are in the. nature oi by-pass ports.

-The piston also has an enlarged annular portion 99 substantially midway between the ends thereof. that it is of `"reater diameter atthis portioncthe wall ol: the piston converging; or incl inine' toward the axis and from opposite sides ot said annular enlarged portion. as clearly shown in Figure ll. such enlarged portion beingT of a` diameter as to permit the same to have a sliding' [it rvith the cylinder annulns 97. The wall of the piston at opposite sides of the annulus 99 is arranged with slots l0() to coeoperate with the cylinder recesses 9S to by-pass the lli counterpoise movably ablymounted upon the beam; a rotatable shaft; a drum rotatably supported concentric with the shaft, said drum and shaft being rconstructed and arranged whereby the drum is adapted to participate in the rotative movei'i'ient of the shaft and to have movement longitudinally thereof;a friction disk to contact with the drum; a support for said disk to have movement lon an axis transverse to the axis of the drum; and means te connect said support to the lbeam operative to maintain the disk in position to rotateon an axis parallel with the axis of the shaft when the beam is in equilibrium and to change the axis cf rotation of said disk in angular relation tothe axis of the drinn by and in accordance with the deflection of the beam for the purpose specified.

V5? In weighing mechanism, a scale beam; mounted upon the beam; a shaft journaled in fixed bearings to rotate on an axis longitudinally of the beam; a crum connected to the counter-poise mounted on the shaft to rotate therewith and have movement longitudinally of the shaft; afriction disk to contact with the drum connected to the beam, and means to connect said disk to the beam and operative in the normal position of equilibrium of the beam to position'the disk to rotate on an axis `jitirallel with the drum and change the axis of rotation of said disk in angular relation to the axis of the drum by the deflection of the beam for th purpose specified.

6. In weighing mechanism, a beam; counterpoisel movably mounted upon the beam; a shaft journaled in fixed bearings to rotate on an axis longitudinally of the beam; poise; anti-friction bearings to mount the drum upon the "shaft to participate in the rotation of the shaft and have movement longitudinally thereof; a. member to frictionally contact with the drum; means operated from the vbeam to normally position said member to travel in a direction transverse of the axis of the drum and adapted to change thel directionof travel thereof in angular relation to the axis of the drum to impart longitudinal movement to the latter for the purpose specified.l

7.y In weighing mechanism, a beam; counter-poise movably mounted upon the beam; a drum, connected to the counterpoise supported to rotate on an axis and have movement longitudinally of the beam; a friction disk; means to support said disk to frictionally engage the drum by gravity and have adjustment en an axis transverse tov the axis of Athe drum; and a connection between 'said disk supportand beamwhereby as the beam is inl equilibrium the disk will rotate on an axis parallel with the axis of the drum and by a deflection of the beam will `be adjusted to rotate on an axis in angular a'drum connected to the' counter-v relation to the axis of the drum for the purpose specified.

8. In weighing mechanism, a beam; counterpoise movable upon the beam; a shaft journaled in fixed bearings to rotate on au axis longitudinally of the beam; means to` rotate the shaft; a drum concentric of thel shaft adapted to participate in the rotationl in a direction transverse to theaxis of the` drum and the direction of travel thereof adapted to be changed in angular relation to the axis of the drum by and in accordance with the deflection of the beam for the purpose specified.

9. In weighing mechanism, a beam; couliterpoise-movable upon the beam; a shaft journalled in fixed bearings to rotate on an axis longitudinally of the beam; a drum connected to the counterpoise mounted on the shaft to participate in the rotation of the shaft and have movement longitudinally thereof; a member to frictionally contact with the drum normally travelling `in a direction transverse to the axis of the drum and the direction of travel thereof adapted to be changed in angular relation to the axis of the Vdrum by the deflection of the beam to impart longitudinal movement to the drum and adjust the counterpoise upon the beam to bring the latter into equilibrium; a rack longitudinally movable with thel drum; a counter; and an operative connection between the rack and counter to advance the latter as the drum travels in one direction for the purpose specified.

l0. In weighing mechanism, a beam hav ing load supporting means connected thereto; counterpoise automatically adjustable upon the beam as the latter is deflected; and pendulum weight automatically connected to the beam when the beam is deflected beyond a predetermined point, comprising a pair of levers, Weights connected to `said levers normally maintaining the levers in position with the weights below the center of gravity, and means connected to the beam to cooperate with one of said levers when the beam is moved below the'horixoutal aud to co-operate with the other lever when the beam is moved to position above the horizontal.

11. In Weighing mechanism, a beam having load supporting means connected thereto; counterpoise automatically adjustable upon the beam as the latter is deflected; and pendulum weight automatically connected ico i tothe beam when thebeam is deflected be'-y 1 yond a predetermined point, comprising a pair AofV pivotally supportd levers, weights connectedv to each of said levers normally maintaining the levers in position with the Weightsbelow the center of gravity, a rod connected to the beam to extend vertically ktherefrom arranged with means to engage "with one of said levers as the beam is moved to position below the horizontal and to engage the other level1 when the beam is moved l I to position above the horizontal.

12. In weighing mechanism, a beam ari ranged for the connection ot a load support,

lis I deflected beyond predetermined points rabove and below the horizontal, comprising` `a pair of weighted main levers normally maintained `in a position with the weights belou7 the center of gravity, auxiliary weighted levers carried by said main levers,

and a connector carried by the beam adapted to engage with an auxiliary lever and apply the weight thereof to the beam when the beam is deflected to a predetermined point above or below the horizontal and to apply the weight oit the main levers to the beam through the auxiliary levers by a further deflection of the beam.

13. In weighing mechanism, a scale beam, adjustable counterpoise to bring,` the beam into balance when moved out of equilibrium, and power operated means to adjust the counterpoise including' a rotatable member and a disk to trictionally engage said member, the direction of travel ofwhich disk is changeable in angular relation to said member, and a connect-ion between said disk and the beam to control the direction of travel thereof through the detlecting movements of the beam.

Signed at Passaic, in the county of Pas saic and State of New Jersey, this 8th day of August A. D. 1922.

HERBERT L. MERRICK. 

